The 12th edition of the Ofoni Annual Christian Festival has ended with a call on the people of the community to trust God for greater blessings in the days ahead.
The grand finale of the 3-day event with the theme: “Ofoni, Thy Seed of Thanksgiving Shall Conquer, Reign, Rule and Prosper Among Nations,” held at the Ofoni Ultra modern Pavilion at the weekend.
The event featured renowned gospel ministers, including Rev. Dr Uma Ukpai, Rev. Prof. Ebitimi Weigha and an Abuja-based cleric, Bishop Emmanuel Effa.
Speaking on the theme during the 3-day event, the clerics declared that Ofoni community had entered a new threshold of blessings and elevation for keeping faith with the annual thanksgiving ceremony despite the loss of their paramount ruler last month.
Rev. Uma Ukpai, who took his exhortation from the book of Genesis12:2 -3, pointed out that only a people who trusted God for everything would come together and offer thanks to God every year.
According to the man of God, Ofoni community would never remain the same again, as God had opened a new door for it to move from one level of greatness to another.
Speaking from Isaiah 62, Bishop Emmanuel Effa, emphasized that whenever God wants to change the story of a man, He gives him a new name, citing the case of Abraham, Sarah and Jacob in the Bible as examples.
Bishop Effa, who warned those involved in idolatry to repent, however, prophesied that God had given a new name to Ofoni community, urging them to prepare for the great promotion that would manifest in the near future.
On his part, Rev. Ebitimi Weigha, who is one of the initiators of the Ofoni Annual Thanksgiving Day, enjoined the people of Ofoni to look up to Jesus Christ and make love and unity of purpose their watchword for them to conquer, reign and prosper.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, expressed gratitude to the clergy and everyone who came from far and near to join the Ofoni people celebrate their annual thanksgiving festival.
He equally thanked his people for their unwavering support to him and the state government over the years, and urged them to believe in the prophecies of the clerics by placing their total confidence in God, who alone can do all things.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who noted that the community was in a mixed mood on account of the death of its paramount ruler on the 3rd of January this year, said the thanksgiving was held against all odds because the people see it as a covenant with God that must be honoured.
Highlights of the event included observing a moment of silence in honour of the departed Amananaowei of Ofoni Federated Community, the late His Royal Highness, Chief Auditor Onakpohor, thanks-offering by various groups and presentation of cake to the Deputy Governor by some young girls led by Miss Michael Hope whom he sponsored to acquire catering skills.
Some dignitaries that attended the ceremony include the state PDP Chairman, Hon. Solomon Agwana, the Commissioner for Communications, Science and Technology, Hon. Gibson Munalayefa; the Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba, and former Technical Adviser on Conflict Resolution, Chief Boma Spero-Jack, among others.
Signed
Mr Doubara Atasi
Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor
Bayelsa State
01/02/25
